General Studies

General Studies courses are focused on topics that are from the perspective of more than one discipline. These courses do not fit an academic area represented by a single department or program.

General Studies 101 and 102RS
Human Heritage I and II (4-0) 4
This two-term course is a study of Western, Chinese, and Native American intellectual traditions. The course is designed to help students understand how our cultural traditions influence our ways of looking at the world and how studying cultures other than our own expands and challenges our frame of reference. The course emphasizes intellectual, artistic, political, scientific, religious, and economic aspects of the three cultures from selected periods in history. Human Heritage II is a continuation of Human Heritage I. Students must complete both courses to fulfill the TS I requirements for Systems and Institutions (S) and Culture, Identity, and Expression (R) Thematic Studies areas.

General Studies 151RN
Integrated Learning Program (ILP) (14-11) 16
This course integrates the humanities, the social sciences, and the sciences around broad topics of scholarly interest. The particular categories of general education TS I courses that this course satisfies are given below. Themes of the program may differ each year. Only students whose Reading/Writing placement is equivalent to Comp 150 will be eligible for the ILP program.

Group R: Culture, Identity, and Expression
The ILP awards the equivalent of one course worth 4 credits that provides an understanding of cultural perspectives by using a historical perspective, situating discussions within contemporary concerns, and addressing human agency in the cultural process and the importance of expressive phenomena such as language, music, visual representation, etc.

Group N: Natural Environment (no lab)
The ILP awards the equivalent of one course worth 4 credits that provides an understanding of the natural environment by pursuing interdisciplinary inquiry of global and local environmental issues, integrating different ways of knowing and diverse voices, including experiential components and by encouraging students to engage in meaningful action.

Comp 150: Reading and Writing in College
The ILP awards credit for Comp 150, a course that emphasizes the interplay of reading and writing in an academic environment.

Lib 150: Information Literacy
The ILP awards credit for Lib 150, which examines the role information plays in daily life, how information is generated, and how it is organized.

ES 100: Fitness and Wellness
The ILP awards one credit for ES 100, which examines the basic physiological principles of exercise and nutrition.

2 elective credits

General Studies 250
International Studies (2-0)2
This course is an internet-based class required for students who intend to study abroad while at Fort Lewis College. This course may be taken any semester before going abroad and is designed to help students investigate the numerous destinations and programs available to them. Through this course, students will evaluate how this experience will or will not fit into their academic plan and make a choice to either continue with GS 251 or not.

General Studies 251
International Studies (2-0)2
This course must be taken immediately preceding a study-abroad experience. This course guides students through the application process and provides assistance in completing the necessary paperwork specific to their program, and required for Fort Lewis College, before going abroad. Students at this stage complete the admission requirements, travel arrangements, and obtain visas. Cultural adjustment issues, specific country legalities, and current events (including travel advisories) are researched and discussed. The International Programs Office will process only those applications submitted through this course.
Prerequisites: GS 250 and Instructor Permission.

General Studies 310
Leadership in International Education 2-4
This course is for students who recently returned from study abroad. This course is designed to allow returnees an opportunity to share their experience and expertise with students beginning the study-abroad process. This course is project driven, addressing the needs of participating students and Fort Lewis College. Students will develop a plan to address a particular problem or issue, follow through with a solution, and evaluate the results. Students may repeat the course once.
Prerequisites: GS 250, GS 251, FLC Study Abroad experience,
and Instructor Permission.

General Studies 375
European Studies on Exchange (3-18)
This course provides appropriate credit for studies completed in one of FLC exchange programs with European Postsecondary schools. It may be repeated once for credit. The exact number of credit hours will be determined by the appropriate Dean after review of the study program completed.

General Studies 495
Environmental Colloquium (4-0) 4
This course, which is a capstone course for the Environmental Policy Minor, involves conducting and reporting on an integrative project in weekly meetings involving several faculty members from across the academic disciplines. The project can involve research, assessment, or analysis of ongoing programs, policy, or proposals for action. This student-constructed project provides a Service Learning opportunity for students.
Prerequisite: Junior standing; Psyc 241, Math 201, or BA 253; and consent of instructor.

General Studies 496
Interdisciplinary Senior Seminar 2-4
An interdisciplinary seminar for graduating seniors, this course provides a capstone experience of broad intellectual inquiry, including a focus on critical reading and thinking, problem solving, and the written expression of ideas.
Prerequisite: Senior standing.

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